History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 160

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 160

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HENRY NEATER, treasurer of York County, Penn., was born in 1836, son of J. Frederick and Willemina Neater. His parents, natives of Ger- many, first came to Maryland, but in a very short time left Maryland and came to York County, Penn., where they lived until they died at an advanced age -nearly eighty years. They had four children (one son and three daughters); they are all living in York. The son at an early age, fourteen years, went at his trade of blacksmithing at Mr. William Shetter's, where he worked a few years, when he was em- ployed by Mr. Palmer, where he finished his trade of coachsmith, and worked for Mr. Palmer up to the time he took his present office as treasurer of York Connty. Mr. Neater is a straight-ont Democrat, and has been from boyhood on. He became a voter in 1857, and has never missed a single election. He cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. He has held the office of assessor and councilman, and in 1834 was elected treasurer of York County. In 1857 he married Miss Annie Fahs, a native of York County, and eight children have been born them; two are dead. The surviving ones are William H., Edward C., George B., Frank- lin. Frederick and Bertha. Mr. Neater is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and family are members of the United Brethren Church.

JOHN NEIMAN. the fifth of thirteen children of George and Mary (Rupert) Neiman, was born July 2, 1820, on the old Neiman homestead. He was reared to farming, and on December 29, 1842, married Cassandria Heilman, daughter of George and Eve (Deisinger) Heilman, of Manchester Town- ship. Eleven children were born to them: Melvina, William, Lonis, George, John (deceased), Eli, HIenry, Cary (deceased), Maggie (deceased), Ellen and Amanda I. Our subject's brothers and sisters were Cassandria (widow of Jacob Hake), Sarah (widow of David Maish), Eliza (wife of Jacob Shettel), Elizabeth (widow of Samuel Shettel), George, Mary (wife of Solomon Shettel). Rebecca (wife of Peter Altland), Lavina (deceased), Samuel, Adam, Susanna (wife of Jacob Rudy) and Leah (wife of William Metzger. Mr. Neiman is well and favorably known throughout York County as president and director of the Dover Fire Insurance Company. He has re- sided in York since 1874.

G."W. NOEDEL, of the firm of Noedel & Co., bottlers, is a native of Germany, born in 1822, son of Simon and Eliza (Brandan) Noedel, and is of German descent. His parents were both natives of Germany, and lived there until they died; the father in 1835, and the mother in 1836. Our subject was educated at the Latin schools in Germany. In 1848 he engaged in general merchandising. and in that continued until 1851. After the Revolution he im- migrated to America, and settled in Baltimore, Md .. where he resided twenty-three years, and was en- gaged in the wholesale wine and liquor business. In 1874 he removed to York County, Penn., and settled on a farm five miles from York, and here he resided until 1877 when he came to York. his pres- ent place of residence. On coming to York he be- gan his present business, in which he is very suc- cessful. Mr. Noedel was married, in 1853, to Miss Bertha V. Gumpel, a native of Germany. They have one son-Theodore W. Mr. Noedel is a Re- publican and a man of a public enterprising spirit. He resides in comfort at Cottage Place.

D. K. NOELL, as the name implies, is of French descent, although his father, Jacob Noell, came to America from the east bank of the Rhine, to which bis ancestors had fled from religious persecution in France. There are several families of this name in York County, who are generally Catholics, while the family of D. K. Noell were Protestants. His father, Jacob Noell, came to America in 1795, and located in York, Penn. During the war of 1812. when the British menaced Baltimore, Jacob Noell joined Capt. Michael Spangler's company of Inde- pendent York Volunteers, which marched to Balti- more, and was engaged in the battle of North Point, September 12, 1814. Mr. Noell was seriously wounded in this battle by a musket-ball passing through his body from left to right, just below the nipples, and from the effects of which he died, leaving a widow and six children poor and helpless, indeed. The children, as soon as they could do any work, were put out to earn their own living. Dan- iel, the subject of this narrative, at the age of ten years was sent to the country, where, on a farm. without a trade or schooling, he grew to manhood as a common farm laborer. The only books in the family in which he lived were the Bible, the almanac and au old geography. These he studied so well and so often, as to become quite an adept in either. In fact he got the Bible almost by heart. and learned to know every natural and political division, city, town, river, etc., on the globe, and the manners, customs, religion and government of all its inhab- itants. In 1838 he found his way into the service of William R. Gorgas, in Cumberland County, Penn. Here he found many books, especially the histories of men and nations, and being fond of reading he applied himself so diligently that in a

YORK BOROUGH.

short time he knew the histories and biographies of all the nations, and their founders. In fact he was seldom seen without a book. pamphlet or news- paper from which, during idle moments, he could gain some knowledge. Happening one day to find an English grammar in Mr. Gorgas' library, he asked permission to study it. This being granted, he soon made himself acquainted with that study. after which he applied himself to the study of arithmetic, geometry and algebra, in all of which. without a teacher, he became so proficient that, as a teacher, in which he is now engaged, he stoodunex- celled. Mr. Noell taught for twenty-two years in the same school-house, thus showing his ability and the high appreciation in which he was held by those whom he served. In 1855 he was elected prothono-

Herman Moss

tary, and in 1862 county superintendent of the schools of Cumberland County. In 1845 he mar- ried Anna Lukens, a graduate of the Harrisburg (Penn.) High School, who greatly aided him in his various pursuits of knowledge. They have had seven children, only three of whom are now living. Of their four sons, all became naval officers or cadets for naval service. Cadet Engineer Michael D. Noell died from a fall on shipboard in 1878, aged mineteen years. He was a bright and promising youth, accurate in mathematics and ready in all studies requiring deep thought. Charles W. Noell, becoming tired of the sea, is now in the service of the Northern Central Railroad, while Jacob E. Noell, as lieutenant-commander, is now in charge at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Penn. He is quite an intelligent officer, having been in all parts of the world, from which for twelve years.

he sent very interesting and instructive letters, which were published in the York Democratic Press, and read with unusual interest by all parties. York Noell is a lieutenant on the United States steamer "Swatara," now in the Caribbean Sea. Mr. Noell's children were all born in Cumberland County, where he lived, taught school and was mar- ried. But in 1871, after an absence of forty-one years, he moved back to York, his native town, after which he called one of his sons, thus showing that he never forgot the town that gave him birth. Thus D. K. Noell has made himself, without friend, school or even favorable circumstances, a man of worth, wealth and intelligence. He never went to school, he never learned a trade, had no relations or friends in the world who would or could help him. All he got of men he paid full value for by the sweat of his brow. He honestly worked at all and everything that might offer. when he needed work. Sometimes he was a miner, quarryman, well- digger. riverman, boatman, cooper, etc., but never without a book from which to study, and which, at last, brought him to teaching and a for- tune. In 1841, with a small slate and an arithmetic, he traveled 100 miles on foot, through snow, slush and ice, from Harrisburg to Wilkslane, Penn., and. ciphered nearly all the way. And in this way he mastered all the branches necessary to a good English education. Being a man of perseverance and indomitable will, he always executed what he undertook. What a lesson this affords for young men! What en- couragement for effort, persever- ance and sobriety! What a strong proof of the fact that he who wills may conquer!

HERMAN NOSS, son of John and Elizabeth (Leckrone) Noss, was born in December, 1831. His parents were among the early set- tlers of York County. His father was a miller by trade, and followed milling for a number of years in West Manchester Township, and subsequently engaged in the mer- cantile business. He still resides in West Manchester Township. Herman Noss attended the schools of York County until the age of six- teen; he then served three years' apprenticeship at the harness-mak- ing business, under the instruction of John W. Small, and worked at the business for Mr. Small for twenty-six years and nine months. He began the lumber and coal business in 1878, in York, which business he has carried on extensively to the present time. He was elected treasurer of York County in the fall of 1873, and served two years; he also served as school director six years. He married in the spring of 1858. Sarah J., daughter of Peter and Christiann (Small) Grimm, natives of York. To this union were born six children, viz .: William S., George B. M. (deceased), Mary V., John W., Adel- ada, Harry P. William, the eldest, assists his father as clerk in the lumber and coal business. Mr. Noss and wife and two of his children are members of the Rev. J. O. Miller's German Reformed Church.

H. L. NEUMAN, engaged in the wholesale man- ufacture of ice cream, and the manufacture of agri- cultural implements, is a native of Conewago Township, and the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Neu-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

man, natives of this county. After leaving the home farm, H. L. Neuman engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store in York, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Penn- sylvania Volunteers, served three years, and near Richmond was seriously wounded in the leg. Re- turning to the county, he engaged in the confec- tionery business, under the firm name of Neuman & Wiest, for nine years, and then engaged in the wholesale manufacture of ice cream. In 1874 he also engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, which he still continues. He. was married in 1867 to Miss Amanda Wambaugh, of York, and there have been born to him four chil- dren: Edward N., James W., Margie and Daisy M. Mr. and Mrs. Neuman are members of the Re- formed Church, and Mr. N. is a member of the G. A. R.

PHINEAS PALMER, born in Bucks County, Penn., May 1, 1824, is a son of Phineas and Sarah Palmer, natives of the same county. At the age of twelve he left the paternal roof to seek his fortune. In 1840 he apprenticed himself to Joseph Stewart, carriage-maker of Trenton, N. J., served five years, and then, in the fall of 1845, came to York and worked nearly five years at journey work, and in October, 1850, established a manufactory, which he has ever since conducted, being now one of the old- est and most extensive carriage-makers in the bor- ough. In November, 1847, he married Miss Susan, daughter of William Lenhart, of York County, aud there have been born to him twelve children, of whom the six surviving are Milton L., Emma E., Franklin P., Sarah K., Lucy and Harry P. Mr. Palmer is a member of the order of A. F. & A. M.

F. J. PALMTAG, son of John and Bertha (Henise) Palmtag, was born May 27, 1859, in York County, Penn. His parents were born in Wur- temberg, Germany. John Palmtag has for many years been extensively engaged in the manufacture of soaps and candles, in connection with the chand- lery business. F. J. Palmtag, the subject of this sketch, although a young man, has a thorough knowledge of the soap and chandlery business, and has for several years managed the business for his father.

JOHN F. PATTON, proprietor of the City Drug Store, so well known to the citizens of York County, is of English and Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather, John Patton, was born in County Antrim, North Ireland, and his grandmother, Mar- garet (McGowen) Patton, in County Tyrone. Soon after their marriage, they immigrated to America, and located, in the year 1780, in Chester County. They had fifteen children-twelve boys and three girls. Both grandparents died at the age of eighty years, or upward. The father of our subject, Ebe- nezer Patton, was the eighth son. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaking, and moved to Chanceford Township, this county, and in 1820 was married to Rebecca Smith, of Lancaster County. The other brothers and sisters located in Chester, Lancaster and Berks Counties, and the family be- came very numerous. Ebenezer Patton died at the age of forty-nine, and the mother, with her eight children, moved to Wrightsville, where she died in the year 1852. John F. Patton, the fourth son of this family, was born in Lower Windsor Township, December 15, 1839. He received his educational training in the common schools. In 1853 he came to York and engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store. In the spring of 1856 he entered the drug store of Dr. Jacob Hay, Sr., to learn a business for which he has since proven himself so admirably fitted. He entered the wholesale drug establishment of Thom- sen & Block, of Baltimore, in 1859, remaining there until 1866. During that year he went to St. Louis, but, on account of sickness, stayed there but a few

months, and returned to Baltimore. In the year 1869 he began the drug business for himself in a small room on the north side of West Market Street, York, on the same site of his present handsome and ele- gant store building. In 1873 he moved his store to the large business room of Martin Bender, nearly opposite the Motter House. He always prospered in business, continually enjoying a large and in- creasing trade. The familiar name of "City Drug Store" was found in the columns of every newspa- per in the county, and on all the conspicuous adver- tising places that could be obtained. His industry and close and attentive application to business were worthy of admiration. They were the cause of his unrivaled prosperity. But the disastrous flood of June, 1884, played sad havoc with his store, and the owner narrowly escaped with his life. The con- tents were almost a total wreck. He had already begun the erection of the new City Drug Store, a three-story brick building, with a large and commo- dious store room, which he stocked and fitted up on a more extensive scale than ever, in September, 1884. In this place he has now an extensive and . encouraging trade. Mr. Patton is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen. and a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of York.

DR. EDWARD H. PENTZ was born January 24, 1826, and is the son of John and Salania Pentz, natives of York County. The subject of this sketch had the advantage of an education, and be- gan a course of studies preparatory to his profession under the instructions of Dr. Theodore Haller. He subsequently went to New York and graduated at the Medical University of New York, about the year 1848. He then returned to York and began the practice of his profession, and through his skill and devotion to the duties relative to his profession soon built up a good practice in the borough of York and the surrounding country. He devoted his time and energy to his profession until a few months before his death. He died November 30, 1873. Dr. Pentz married. April 14, 1853, Miss Jose- phine, daughter of Charles and Auna M. (Spangler) Weiser, of York. To this union was born one son, Bransby C., who is a photographer, and at present writing is doing an extensive business in York, hav- ing one of the finest appointed studios in southern Pennsylvania, and is noted for his superior work.

J. TURNER PERKINS, M. D., a native of Prince George County, Md., was born in 1854. He is of English and Scotch ancestry, and a son of James T. and Susan M. (Travers) Perkins. His father is a large planter and a resident of Mary- land. Dr. Perkins received superior educational advantages, and was graduated from the Maryland Agricultural College, A. B. Ph. D. In 1874 he com- menced his medical studies at Baltimore, having for his preceptor Prof. Nathan R. Smith. He was graduated from the University of Maryland in 1877, as M. D., and for one year was an assistant to his preceptor. He located in York in 1878, where he has been in constant practice since, and has achieved a reputation as one of the leading physi- cians and surgeons of York County. Dr. Perkins has taken three special courses in surgery at Balti- more, and has been surgeon in the Baltimore Marine Hospital and of the city almshouse. He is a mem- ber of the York County Medical Association, of which he has been vice-president, and is a Royal Arcanum Mason. In 1883 Dr. Perkins was married to Miss Nora Salmon, daughter of Maj .- Gen. George Paris Salmon, of the English Army, a native of Scotland.

F. MARVIN T. PFLIEGER, chief clerk in the Northern Central & Pennsylvania Railway freight office. was born in 1855 and is of German descent. The Pflieger family is well known in the history of York County. Mr. Pflieger was educated at the

YORK BOROUGH.

public schools and York County Academy, and in 1869 entered the employ of the firm now known as Thomas Chambers & Co., as messenger, and in 1870 was promoted to the position of book-keeper. Here he remained until 1875, when he engaged in the railway business. In 1880 he was made chief clerk, and still holds that position. He was mar- ried, in 1876, to Ida J. Keech, daughter of W. L. Keech. They have two children. Mr. Pflieger is a stanch Democrat.

HENRY PRESAW, son of Heury and Barbara (Smith) Presaw, was born near Hanover, January 20, 1832. Henry, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest in a family of six children. He learned the trade of blacksmith and followed it for many years. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company I (Capt. Russell). First Maryland Cav- alry. He was in the first raid made by Gen. Stone- man in the Shenandoah Valley, and was also in the battles of Winchester, Rappahannock Dam, Briscoe Station, Gettysburg, Malvern Hill, Front Royal, Maryland Heights and Brandy Station. At an en- gagement on the Weldon Railroad, Mr. Presaw lost his left leg (August 16, 1864), by a minie ball, and had his leg amputated the same day. He was sent to Beverly Hospital, New Jersey, and remained there about six weeks, and then removed to the hospital at Broad and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, and remained there about three months. when he was honorably discharged. Few soldiers from this section have seen more hard service than the subject of this sketch. January 20, 1872, Mr. Presaw mar- ried Catherine Mate, of York, Penn.

THOMAS RAMSAY, justice of the peace, is a native of Baltimore, born October 14, 1842. His parents were William and Mary (Kilgore) Ramsay, the former a native of Baltimore, and the latter of York County. His father was engaged in the mer- cantile business in Baltimore until 1852, when he removed to York County where he continued in busi- ness until his death. The subject of this biography was the eldest of four children, and although quite young upon the death of his father, assisted his mother in conducting the business left by his father, devoting his leisure to study. He entered the high school of York at the age of fourteen, and when sixteen began teaching in York County. He subse - quently entered Duff's Commercial College at Pitts- burgh and graduated in 1863. Being offered a profes- sorship in this college he accepted and remained one year, resigning to accept a position as chief clerk tendered to him by an extensive oil refinery at Pittsburgh, which position he held one year, the works being destroyed by fire. Returning to York, he was engaged at several vocations until 1875, when he was appointed deputy clerk of the courts, which position he held two terms. In April, 1881, he was appointed justice of the peace by Gov. Hoyt to fill a vacancy in the Sixth Ward; and subsequent- ly he was elected to the same office for a term of five years, which position he is now creditably fill- ing. Mr. Ramsay is a member of the I. O. O. F., the I. O. R. M. and the order known as the Seven Wise Men. In 1876 Mr. Ramsay was married to Miss Helena Hemler, of Adams County, Penn.

E. A. REESE, foreman of the smith and plow department at Farquhar's, was born in Eutaw, Ala., February 1, 1851; he is a son of Edward and Charlotte (Mckinstry) Reese, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. After receiving a common school educa- tion he learned coach and carriage-making, and continued that work in his native State until 1874, when he came to York, and for a time worked at pattern making for A. B. Farquhar, and about two years later he was made foreman of the smith and plow department, where he has since continued. He has under him about fifty men. In 1859 he married Miss Louisa M. Buckingham, a native of

Piqua, Ohio, and a daughter of Ferdinand Buck- ingham. They have one child, Edwin B. Politi- cally Mr. Reese is a Democrat. Mrs. Reese is a member of the Trinity Reformed Church.

WILLIAM G. REICHLEY, general merchant, was born in York, July 15, 1852, is the son of Jacob and Sophia (Bilber) Reichley, and is the second of seven children. The parents of our subject were born in Germany, came to America in 1847, and settled in York, where the mother died in 1880. Mr. Reichley received a common school education at the schools of York. Subsequently he clerked in a store for five years. In 1870 he began the general merchandise business in York. His marriage occurred in 1871, to Miss Kate Heindel, a native of York County, and a daughter of P. B. and Cathe- rine Heindel. Of four children born to them two are living: Nettie M. and William J. Mr. Reichley is a Democrat and takes great interest in politics. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

FREDERICK REINDEL is a native of Bava- ria, Germany, was born in 1838, and is a son of Dr. Thomas and Kuninguda Reindel. His father was born in Germany and died there. His mother still resides in that country, and is seventy-four years of age. The subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools of Germany. At fourteen years of age he joined the Bavarian Army, in which he spent fifteen years. Iu 1870 he came to America, and settled in Baltimore, Md., and engaged in the barbering and hair dressing business. There he re- mained some time and then came to Hanover, and continued the same business. In 1874 he came to York and continued the same business, until about five years ago. Since that time he has been engaged in the wine and liquor business. He was married in 1870 to Miss Julia Ulrici, a native of Bavaria. They have two children, Harry and Clara.

THE REISINGER FAMILY are of the early set- tlers of York County. Carl, Gotlieb and Jacob, three brothers, came to this country in 1767, and settled at Lexington, Mass. At the breaking out of the Rev- olution they joined a company organized hy Bene- dict Arnold. and were engaged at the first battle of Bunker Hill. Jacob was killed or drowned at Long Island. Carl and Gotlieb served through the war, to the battle of Yorktown, where Lord Cornwallis surrendered the British troops to Gen. Washington. Carl and Gotlieb then came to York County. Carl married a daughter of Gen. Boyer, and had born to him nine daughters and one son, Samuel Reisinger. Samuel married a daughter of Conrad Gipe, and raised a family of seven daughters and four sons. The names of the four sons are William I. Reisinger, George Reisinger, Henry Reisinger and Adam Reis- inger. Henry Reisinger was elected recorder of deeds, of York County, in 1866. William I. Reis- inger, the eldest of the four sons, married a daughter of Henry Hartman and had five sons, Samuel H. Reisinger and William F. Reisinger, who served during the late Rebellion, and O. De Witt Reisinger, Calvin J. Reisinger and Elmer E. Reisinger and two daugh ers. William I. Reisinger was an active worker in the Democratic party from his early life. He joined the York, Penn., Rifle Company, which was ordered out by the governor in 1844, and took part in the Philadelphia riots in 1849. He took an active part in organizing the Worth Infantry Company, which was commanded by Capt. Zeigle up to 1861. At the breaking out of the Rebellion the company was attached to the Sixteenth Penn- sylvania Regiment. Capt. Ziegle was made colonel, for three months' service. William I. Reisinger was quartermaster-sergeant of the said regiment. Af- ter the three months' service he raised forty men for the Ringgold Cavalry and failed in getting a com- mission; organized a company of 109 men and gave the command to Daniel Herr, with the under-

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 160

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104